DJ to sue Disney over copyright
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All ears … DJ deadmau5 claims Disney used one of his songs in an advertisement without his permission, as their legal feud heats up.
Source: Supplied
ONE is a Canadian DJ who performs wearing a distinct mouse head with giant ears, the other is iconic animation studio Disney.
Together they’re waging a bitter legal war against each other that is getting uglier by the day.
It all began a little over a week ago, when musician deadmau5 lodged a trademark application in the United States over his signature logo and hat, known as the ‘mau5-head’.
Taking the Mickey … Disney isn’t happy about DJ deadmau5’s mouse head hat and says it’s too similar to its character Mickey Mouse, pictured here with wife Minnie. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied
Disney filed a 181-page objection in response, saying the big, round ears were far too similar to those sported by its most famous character, Mickey Mouse.
Over the weekend, deadmau5 — real name Joel Zimmerman — shot back with a legal objection of his own, alleging Disney had used one of his tracks in an online advertisement without his permission.
He posted a copy of his lawyer’s letter to the Hollywood giant on his Twitter account.
oh, @disney just in case you dont check your email, ill just leave this here. pic.twitter.com/I9ZSHsKlWV
— deadmau5 (@deadmau5) September 4, 2014
If that’s true, Disney could be forced to cough up some hefty licensing fees and compensation.
And it looks like the DJ has a strong claim, given the video — which was still up when deadmau5 took to Twitter to vent his anger — allegedly carried a caption naming the artist and his song.
The clip has since been removed.
Trademark tit for tat … the performer behind deadmau5 has used a variety of mouse head hats over his career and successfully trademarked his ‘mau5-head’ in dozens of countries. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied
Despite deadmau5’s claims, Disney released a statement denying the allegation and said there was no merit to any of the statements made by the artist.
Neither side looks set to back down and Disney, which is famous for waging long and expensive trademark battles in court, looks up for a fight.
The deadmau5 logo has reportedly been trademarked in dozens of other territories around the world already.
